CHAPTER Methodology. Types of Research Methodology

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1 CHAPTER Methodology Methodology is the systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of study. It comprises the theoretical analysis of the body of methods and principles associated with a branch of knowledge. Methodology is essential in gathering relevant information thereby giving effective and reliable representation. Types of Research Methodology Qualitative This type of research methods involves describing in details specific situation using research tools like interviews, surveys, and Observations. [3] Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfill a given quota. Quantitative This type of research methods requires quantifiable data involving numerical and statistical explanations. Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations. 17

2 The methodology of this research is broken down into the following framework- Research design Data collection 3.1 Research Design A detailed outline of how an investigation will take place. A research design will typically include how data is to be collected, what instruments will be employed, how the instruments will be used and the intended means for analyzing data collected. A research design is the document of the study. The design of a study defines the study type (descriptive, correlational, semi-experimental, experimental, review, metaanalytic) and sub-type (e.g., descriptive-longitudinal case study), research question, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, experimental design, and, if applicable, data collection methods and a statistical analysis plan. Research design is the framework that has been created to seek answers to research questions. Burns and Grove (2003:195) define a research design as a blueprint for conducting a study with maximum control over factors that may interfere with the validity of the findings. Parahoo (1997:142) describes a research design as a plan that describes how, when and where data are to be collected and analyses. Polit et al (2001:167) define a research design as the researcher s overall for answering the research question or testing the research hypothesis. This study focuses on the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in ambassador hotel Bangkok.The research approach for the research study is Descriptive Research. Descriptive research is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate way. More simply put, descriptive research is all about describing people who take part in the study. Descriptive research can be explained as a statement of affairs as they are at present with the researcher having no control over variable. Moreover, descriptive research may be characterized as simply the attempt to determine, describe or identify 18

3 what is, while analytical research attempts to establish why it is that way or how it came to be (Ethridge, 2004, p.24). Descriptive studies can contain the elements of both, qualitative and quantitative methods within a single research. In descriptive studies data collection is facilitated without changing the environment. An important distinctive trait of descriptive research compared to alternative types of studies relates to the fact that while descriptive research can employ a number of variables, only one variable is required to conduct a descriptive study. Three main purposes of descriptive studies can be explained as describing, explaining and validating research findings. There are three basic types of Descriptive research. These are - 1. Observational Method 2. Case Study Method 3. Survey Method Observation Observation, as the name implies, is a way of collecting data through observing. Observation can be structured or unstructured. In structured or systematic observation data collection is conducted using specific variables and according to a pre-defined schedule. Unstructured observation, on the other hand, is conducted in an open and free manner in a sense that there would be no pre-determined variables or objectives. Advantages of observation primary data collection method include direct access to research phenomena, high levels of flexibility in terms of application and generating a permanent record of phenomena to be referred to later if a need arises. Case Studies Case studies are a popular research method in business area. Case studies aim to analyze specific issues within the boundaries of a specific environment, situation or organization. According to its design, case study research method can be divided into three categories: explanatory, descriptive and exploratory. 19

4 1. Explanatory case studies aim to answer how or why questions with little control on behalf of researcher over occurrence of events. This type of case studies focus on phenomena within the contexts of real-life situations. Example: An investigation into the reasons of the global financial and economic crisis of Descriptive case studies aim to analyze the sequence of interpersonal events after a certain amount of time has passed. Case studies belonging to this category usually describe culture or sub-culture, and they attempt to discover the key phenomena. Example: Impact of increasing levels of multiculturalism on marketing practices: A case study of McDonald s Indonesia. 3. Exploratorycase studies aim to find answers to the questions of what or who. Exploratory case study data collection method is often accompanied by additional data collection method(s) such as interviews, questionnaires, experiments etc. Example: A study into differences of leadership practices between private and public sector organizations in Atlanta, USA. Advantages of case study method include data collection and analysis within the context of phenomenon, integration of qualitative and quantitative data in data analysis, and the ability to capture complexities of real-life situations so that the phenomenon can be studied in greater levels of depth. Survey Method The essence of survey method can be explained as questioning individuals on a topic or topics and then describing their responses (Jackson, 2011, p.17). In business studies survey method of primary data collection is used in order to test concepts, reflect attitude of people, establish the level of customer satisfaction, and conduct segmentation research and a set of other purposes. Survey method pursues two main purposes: 1. Describing certain aspects or characteristics of population and/or 2. Testing hypotheses about nature of relationships within a population. 20

5 Survey method can be broadly divided into three categories: mail survey, telephone survey and personal interview. The descriptions of each of these methods are briefly explained on the following table as proposed by Jackson (2011). Table 3.Survey Methods Survey method Description Mail survey A written survey that is self-administered Telephone survey A survey conducted by telephone in which the questions are read to the respondents Personal interview A face-to-face interview of the respondent Source: Jackson (2011) Alternatively, According to Neuman (2005) from the viewpoint of practicality the most popular variations of surveys include questionnaires, interviews and documentation review. The main advantages and disadvantages associated with these primary data collection methods are explained by Denscombe (2004) in the following manner: Table 4.Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Methods Method Purpose Advantages Disadvantages Questionnaires Conducted in order to Members of the sample Difficulties of ensuring gather large size of group can remain greater depth for the research information in a short anonymous Considerably The problem of the first period of time cheaper than most of the choice selection other primary data collection methods Possibility of generating large amount of data Interviews Conducted in order to The possibility to direct the Great amount of time reflect emotions and process of data collection required in order to arrange experiences, and The possibility to collect and conduct interviews and explore issues with a the specific type of primary data collection. greater focus information required Additional costs might be incurred associated with arranging and conducting 21

6 interviews, travelling etc. Potential for interviewee bias Documentation Conducted in order to Possibility to retrieve Challenges associated with review study issues that have comprehensive access to documentation developed over a information Inflexibility of the research specific period of time process Mainly, the researcher was chosen this technique for two reasons because it is least reliable design but normally the cheapest and easiest to conduct. In survey method research, participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses given. In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid it is important that the questions are constructed properly. Questions should be written so they are clear and easy to comprehend. Another consideration when designing questions is whether to include openended, closed-ended, partially open-ended, or rating-scale questions (for a detailed discussion refers to Jackson, 2009). Advantages and disadvantages can be found with each type: Open-ended questions allow for a greater variety of responses from participants but are difficult to analyze statistically because the data must be coded or reduced in some manner. Closed-ended questions are easy to analyze statistically, but they seriously limit the responses that participants can give. Many researchers prefer to use a Likert-type scale because it s very easy to analyze statistically. (Jackson, 2009, p. 89). It also provides the need to explain the causal relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in the hotel industry and also required the collection of quantitative data as well. This involves testing the theories that already exists and these tests will be carried out through questionnaires. 22

7 3.2 Data Collection Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of research is common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities and business. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence that then translates to rich data analysis and allows the building of a convincing and credible answer to questions that have been posed. Generally there are three types of data collection and they are 1. Surveys: Standardized paper-and -pencil or phone questionnaires that ask predetermined questions. 2. Interviews: Structured or unstructured one-on-one directed conversations with key individuals or leaders in a community. 3. Focus groups: Structured interviews with small groups of like individuals using standardized questions, follow-up questions, and exploration of other topics that arise to better understand participants. Both primary and secondary data source were used to ask research questions Secondary Data Secondary data is information collected by others for purposes, which can be different than those of the researcher. It is a synthesis of published and unpublished documents related to the research and it is of highly importance, as it comprises the logical framework of the research (Sekaran, 2003, Fink, 1995). The collection of secondary data has both advantages and disadvantages, one of the foremost advantages of using secondary data is that it helps the researcher formulate and understand better the research problem, broadening at the same time the base for scientific conclusions to be drawn. Nevertheless, it should be taken under consideration that other researchers, organization or government departments for studies with 23

8 different objectives and purposes collected the data; therefore, it might not be suitable for the current research. For the purpose of this study, the collected secondary data included: textbooks, academic articles and journals related to the service quality and customer satisfaction. This type of data collection was mainly used for the literature review since it was unable to meet the research objectives. 24